Going Solo

It was a small nasi padang shop.

She sat across the aisle.

The edges

of her nose a plowed field

quietly patched.

‍

Only a hint of tired red

Seeped thru. Dry,

Against the weight

of his gaze, septic

As he leaned in,

subtley searching her face

for a hint or a reason

to raise his hand,

yet again.

‍

her face, a broken field of dreams.

her wedding ring with no room

to manoeuvre. flesh had lodged it

in its place.

‍

lips meant for love,

bruised and ballooned.

A swollen patch the size of his fist,

Had left its mark

on that chin

meant for kissing.

his grip clenched thick and strong.

‍

as his wife got up,

placing a slow hand on waist,

my eyes leaned in on him.

wondering how this brute

could only now, sheepishly

bite his lip.

‍

he left as she paid the bill.

strutting his little alpha,

triumphant she would follow.

in his parade,

he left his cap behind.

‍

I picked it up and contemplated

Burning it.

but quickly realized, I now had an in.

‍

“Kak, you left this behind.”

she turned to me surprised,

as I gently touched her elbow.

the shades were back on, but

did not hide the sudden big smile,

the cheerful voice that hugged me

“Aduuu, terimah kasih sayang!!!!”

‍

I looked at her, smiled, nodding back.

My hand stayed, and only went

up and down her arm.

Silent, helpless,

wishing I could,

only

hug her back.